Our Pastor

Pastor Gent is the founding and current pastor of the Garden State Baptist Church. He was born and raised in South Amboy, New Jersey, and came to know Christ as his Savior as a high school student at Hoffman High School. After his theological studies he founded the Central Baptist Church in Avenel, NJ in 1966, and pastored in Avenel for 12 years. He then went on to spend several years in Evangelistic and Bible Conference ministry.  In 1986 God led him to return to pastoral ministry. In 1986 he founded the Garden State Baptist Church in Old Bridge. Over the last 35 plus years God has blessed the church with growth, spiritual fruit and a beautiful church facility.

Pastor Gent is known for his in-depth Bible teaching and fervent evangelistic spirit. He has preached in many foreign countries, is the author of several books, and has been blessed with two children and 6 grandchildren.

He is a graduate of Tennessee Temple College (B.A.) and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary (B.Div.).